Peach tree named ‘Burpeachten’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachten’, and produces an attractively colored yellow-fleshed clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately June 13 to June 22 under ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination ‘Burpeachten’.

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofpeach tree, Prunus persica, which has been denominated varietally as‘Burpeachten’. The present variety of peach tree resulted from anon-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of thisprogram is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nutvarieties and rootstocks by creating and releasing promising selectionsof prunus, malus and regia species. To this end we make both controlledand hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedlingpopulations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘Burpeachten’ was originated by us from a population ofseedlings grown in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif.The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were the result of a controlledcross of the peach tree ‘Rich Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290) whichwas used as the seed parent, and the peach tree‘Mayfire’ (non-patented)which was used as the pollen parent. One seedling, which is the presentvariety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics and was markedfor subsequent observation. After the 1997 growing season, the newvariety was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby accomplished by budding the present variety to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations have shown thoseasexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristicsof the original tree and its fruit were established, and appeared to betransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachten’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is ofmedium large size, and which has vigorous growth, and is a regular andproductive bearer of large, firm, yellow flesh, and semi-freestone fruitwith good flavor and eating quality. The tree has a medium-chillingrequirement of approximately 600 hours. The tree also producesrelatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree with a high degreeof red skin coloration, and firm flesh. The fruit appears to have goodhandling and shipping quality. Still further, the ‘Burpeachten’ peachtree bears fruit that is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment onapproximately June 13 to June 22. In comparison to the seed parent the‘Rich Lady’ Peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7290), the new varietyripens about 5 or more days earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of thepresent variety. It depicts a characteristic twig bearing typicalleaves; several leaves showing both the dorsal and ventral coloration;and two mature fruit and a third fruit that has been bisected along theequatorial plane and displaying an apical view of the fruit, flesh andpit intact. The external coloration of the fruit is shown sufficientlymatured for harvesting and shipment. The colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color photographic representation of this type.Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves, pitand fruit depicted in this photograph may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future colorreferences should be made to the color plates (Royal HorticulturalSociety) and descriptions provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed in thefifth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing atorchards located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state ofCalifornia. All major color code designations are by reference to TheR.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

Tree:

Size.—Generally. — Considered medium as compared to other commoncommercial peach cultivars ripening in the mid season of maturity. Thetree was pruned to a height of approximately 304.8 cm to 365.7 cm atmaturity.

Vigor.—Moderately vigorous. The present variety grew from about 121.92cm to 182.8 cm in height during the first growing season. The varietywas pruned to a height of approximately 106.7 cm in the first dormantseason and primary scaffolds are selected for the desired treestructure.

Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from about 1.5 to severaltimes more than the desired crop load. Fruit set is spaced by thinningto develop into the desired market sized fruit. Number of fruit setvaries with climatic conditions and prevailing cultural practices duringthe bloom period and is therefore not distinctive of the variety.

Bear.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy and thinning was necessaryduring the past 4 years.

Form.—Upright, and pruned to a vase shape.

Density.—Medium dense. It have been discovered that pruning the branchesfrom the center of the tree to obtain a resulting vase shape allows forproper air movement and appropriate amounts of sunlight to enhance fruitcolor and renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree.

Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA HardinessZone 9. Winter chilling requirements are approximately 600 hours below7.0 degrees C. The variety appears to be hardy under typical Central SanJoaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Trunk:

Diameter.—Approximately 16.0 cm in diameter when measured at a distanceof approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level, at the end of the fourthgrowing season.

Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of paperyscarfskin being present.

Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The lenticelsrange in size from approximately 2.0 to 6.0 millimeters in width, andfrom 1 to 2 millimeters in height.

Lenticel color.—Considered an Orange Brown. (RHS Greyed-Orange N172 A).Bark Coloration. — Variable, but it is generally considered to be agrey-brown (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177 A).

Branches:

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Diameter.—Average as compared to other varieties. The branches have adiameter of about 75.0 millimeters when measured during the third yearafter grafting.

Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which isseveral years old.

Crotch angles.—Primary branches considered variable between about 45 to49 degrees from the horizontal axis. This characteristic is notconsidered distinctive of the variety however.

Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially glabrous.

Internode length.—Approximately 2.0 to 2.2 cm.

Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Grey Brown Group N199C).

Current seasons shoots.—Color. Light green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 144D). The color of new shoot tips is considered a bright and shiny green(RHS Green Group 134 C).

Leaves:

Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements have beentaken from vigorous upright current season growth at approximatelymid-shoot.

Leaf length.—Approximately 140 to 170 millimeters.

Leaf width.—Approximately 32 to 35 millimeters.

Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinalaxis.

Leaf form.—Lanceloate.

Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.

Leaf color.—Dark green, approximately (RHS Green Group 137 A).

Leaf texture.—Glabrous.

Lower surface.—Medium green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 147

Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.

Mid-Vein.—Color. — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 151 A).

Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating. Form. — Considered crenate,occasionally doubly crenate. Uniformity. — Considered generally uniform.Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium long to long. Length. — 9.0 toabout 12.0 mm. Diameter. — 1.5 to about 2.5 mm. Color. — Pale green,(RHS Yellow Green Group 151 A).

Leaf glands.—Size. — About 1.0 mm in height and about 1.0 to 2.0 mm inwidth. Numbers. — Generally one per side, occasionally two per side.Type. — Reniform, and considered reasonably unappressed to the petiolemargin. Color. — Greenish brown (RHS Yellow Green Group 152 B).

Leaf stipules.—Size. — Medium large for the variety. Number. — Typically2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot tip. Form. — Lanceolate in formand having a serrated margin. Color. — Green, (RHS Green Group 132 A)when young, but graduating to a yellow-brown color (RHS Grey Orangegroup 177 A) with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered tobe early deciduous.

Flowers:

Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds are considered to be large,about 15 millimeters wide; and about 21 millimeters long; conic in form;and slightly appressed relative to the bearing shoot.

Flower Buds.—Color — The bud scales are gray-brown, (approximately RHSGreyed Purple Group 183 A). The buds are considered hardy under typicalcentral San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last several yearsof evaluation in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The current variety hasnot been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress and thereforethis information is not available.

Date of first bloom.—Feb. 22, 1999.

Blooming time.—Considered relatively early in comparison to othercommercial peach cultivars commonly grown in the Central San Joaquinvalley. Date of full bloom was observed on Mar. 1, 1999. The date ofbloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.

Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 days.

Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.

Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 35.0 to 41.0millimeters.

Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.

Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 appear per node.

Petal size.—Generally. — Considered large for the species. Length. —Approximately 18.0 to 21.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 18.0 to20.0 millimeters.

Petal form.—Broadly ovate.

Petal count.—Nearly always 5.

Petal texture.—Glabrous.

Petal color.—Light pink when young, (RHS Red Purple Group 63 C), anddarkening with advancing senescence and exposure to sunlight to a mediumto dark pink (RHS Red Purple Group 64 D).

Fragrance.—Slight.

Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered truncate and has amedium-large size when compared to other varieties. Length. —Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 6.0 to 8.0millimeters.

Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth, tomoderately undulate and ruffled, especially apically.

Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear slightly domed.

Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium-long, and having an averagelength of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Diameter. — Consideredaverage, approximately 2.0 millimeters. Color. — A medium Green (RHS —Grey Brown Group N199 D).

Floral nectaries.—Color. — A dull orange-gold (RHS Greyed Orange Group172 B).

Calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally glabrous. Color. — A dull red,(approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 183 A).

Sepals.—Surface Texture. — The surface has a short, fine, wooly texture.Size. — Average, and ovate in form. Color. — A dull red, (approximatelyRHS Greyed-Red Group 178 A).

Anthers.—Generally. — Average, to above average in length. Color. — Redto reddish-orange dorsally, (approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 179A).

Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color,(approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 17 B).

Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 12.0 to 14.0millimeters in length. Color. — White, (RHS Red Purple Group 62 D).

Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1, rarely 2. Generally. — Average in size.Length. — Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including the ovary.Color. — Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS Yellow GreenGroup 151 D). Surface Texture. — The variety has a long, pubescentpistil.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). Date offirst picking. — Jun. 13, 1999. Date of last picking. — Jun. 22, 1999.The date of harvest varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Size.—Generally — Medium large, and considered uniform.

Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 74.0 to 76.0 millimeters.

Average axial diameter.—Approximately 71.0 to 73.0 millimeters.

Typical weight.—Approximately 234.0 grams. This is highly dependent uponcultural practices and therefore is not distinctive of the variety.

Fruit form.—Generally — Moderately oblate. The fruit is generallyuniform in symmetry.

Fruit suture.—Shallow, slightly lipped, and extending from the base toapex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.

Suture.—Color — This appears to be a yellow to golden yellow backgroundcolor, (approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 22 B) and additionallyhaving some red-orange coloration (approximately RHS Red Group 45 A).

Ventral surface.—Form — Slightly indented.

Apex.—Varies from rounded to having a slight apical point.

Base.—Retuse.

Stem cavity.—Rounded too slightly elongated in the suture plane. Averagedepth of the stem cavity is about 1.25 cm. Average width is about 2.51cm.

Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered medium in thickness, and tenaciousto the flesh. Texture. — Medium, and having a slight pubescence. Taste.— Non-astringent. Tendency to crack. — None observed.

Color.—Blush Color. — This red blush color is variable from a dark to alighter red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group 187 A to 187 C).Ground Color. — Pale yellow, (approximately RHS Yellow 11 B).

Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 to about 9.0millimeters. Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. Color. —Pale yellow-green (approximately RHS Yellow een Group 145 B).

Flesh.—Ripens. — Evenly. Texture. — Considered firm, and dense. Fibers.— Few, small, and tender ones are found. Aroma. — Very slight. EatingQuality. — Good. Flavor. — Considered sweet and mildly acidic. Theflavor is considered both pleasant and balanced. Juice. — Moderate.Brix. — About 11.0 degrees. This value varies slightly with the numberof fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and surroundingclimatic conditions. Flesh Color. — Pale yellow, (approximately RHSYellow Group 10 A). With increasing maturity red flecking (approximatelyRHS Red Group 43 B) can be found.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Length.—Average, about 22.0 to about 24.0 millimeters.

Width.—Average, about 21.0 to about 22.0 millimeters.

Diameter.—Average, about 18.0 to about 19.0 millimeters.

Form.—Obovoid.

Base.—The stone is usually rounded, but may vary from rounded tostraight.

Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is raised and has an acute, short tip.

Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Irregularly furrowed toward the apex,and pitted toward the base. The stone exhibits substantial pittinglaterally. Substantial grooving over the apical shoulders is evident.Surface pitting is prominent generally, and more frequently, it ispresent basally. One long furrow on each side of suture will normally befound. Ridges. — Surface texture varies from sharp to rounded. VentralEdge. — Width — Considered medium, and having a dimension ofapproximately 5 to about 6.5 millimeters at the mid-suture. The wingsare most prominent over the basal area. Dorsal Edge. — Shape. — Full,heavily grooved, and having jagged edges. The dorsal edge is moderatelyeroded over the apical shoulder.

Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a light to medium brown,(approximately RHS Orange Red Group 34 C).

Tendency to split.—Few but very infrequent splitting was noted.

Kernel.—Size. — Length — 18.0 mm. Width — 12.0 mm. Thickness — 3.0millimeters. Form. — Obovoid. Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — (RHSGreyed Brown Group N199 C).

Use.—The subject variety ‘Burpeachten’ is considered to be a Peach treeof the mid-season maturity, and which produces fruit which areconsidered very firm, attractively colored, and which are useful forboth local and long distance shipping.

Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has stored well up to 21 days afterharvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.

Shipping quality.—Good. Fruit showed minimal bruising of the flesh orskin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packingprocedures.

Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities werenoted. The present variety has not been tested to detect for anysusceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or fruitdiseases.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Fowler, Calif. in Central part of the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia, it will be understood that variations of the usual magnitudeand characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are tobe expected.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety peach tree, whatwe claim is new and desire to secure by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. Anew and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, and which is characterized principally as novelty byproducing an attractively colored yellow-fleshed clingstone peach whichis mature for harvesting and shipment approximately June 13 to June 22under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley ofCentral California.